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catacomb

noun cat·a·comb \ ˈka-tə-ˌkōm \
|Updated on: 1 Jul 2018

Definition of catacomb

1 : a subterranean cemetery of galleries with recesses for tombs —usually used in plural
2 : something resembling a catacomb: such as
a : an underground passageway or group of passageways
b : a complex set of interrelated things
  • the endless catacombs of formal education
  • —Kingman Brewster †1988

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Examples of catacomb in a Sentence

  1. explored the catacombs looking for evidence about burial customs of that ancient society

Recent Examples of catacomb from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catacomb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

About forty Christian catacombs have been found near the roads that once led into Rome. After the decline of the Roman empire these cemeteries were forgotten, not to be rediscovered until 1578. Catacomb has come to refer to different kinds of underground chambers and passageways. The catacombs of Paris are abandoned stone quarries that were not used for burials until 1787. The catacombs built by a monastery in Palermo, Sicily, for its deceased members later began accepting bodies from outside the monastery; today you may wander through looking at hundreds of mummified corpses propped against the catacomb walls, dressed in tattered clothes that were once fashionable.

Origin and Etymology of catacomb

Middle English catacumb, Medieval French catacombe, probably from Old Italian catacomba, from Late Latin catacumbae, plural

catacomb Synonyms

Synonyms

crypt, vault;

Related Words

mausoleum, sepulchre (or sepulcher), sepulture, tomb;

CATACOMB Defined for English Language Learners

catacomb

noun

Definition of catacomb for English Language Learners

  • : an underground place where people are buried

Learn More about catacomb

  1. See words that rhyme with catacomb Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for catacomb Nglish: Translation of catacomb for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catacomb

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